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Paris, 24 June 2003
Press Release
Nx 41-2003

Europeans Say "Yes" to a Strong Europe in Space

Part 2 of 2

What are space stakeholders calling for?

The consultation drew wide-ranging contributions from across Europe.
Through an open, transparent and democratic debate, a broad consensus
on a number of key actions is taking shape. During the consultation,
space sector players addressed a series of options, including:

- Upgrading the space policy institutional framework, possibly by
creating a Council of Space Ministers;

- Using the same satellite systems for both civil and
defence/security purposes (multiple-use systems);

- An institutional market which recognises space potential in
addressing civil policy objectives such as communication and
navigation;

- Independent, reliable and affordable access to space through the
European Guaranteed Access to Space (EGAS) programme;

- The need for a European Security and Defence Agency;

- Improved career prospects, training and development for people
working in space research and technology;

- A doubling of funding for European research;

- Harmonising data collection and processing at European level, with
the Commission supporting a powerful data processing system for
climate forecasts and global change monitoring;

- Establishing the International Space Station as a base for
microgravity research;

- Further support for ESA's Aurora programme, which aims, inter alia,
to put a human on Mars within the next 30 years;

- Developing space applications to underpin technological and
scientific development and the security of citizens;

- Developing a programme to achieve seamless broadband communications
for everyone in Europe; and

- Supporting the enlargement process and European integration through
satellite technologies and shared policy objectives.

Next steps

The following events will drive forward Europe's space policy:

- July 2003: a summary report on the consultation process from the
EU/ESA Joint Task Force will be published.

- September 2003: the European Parliament will contribute its views
to the Green Paper process.

- October 2003: the Commission is expected to release the White Paper
on European Space Policy, with subsequent submission to the Council
and Parliament. The White Paper will include an action plan setting
out a future strategy for space activities in the European Union. It
will acknowledge the contributions received, and include proposals
for the content, organisation and level of future European space
activities. 

- November 2003: the White Paper is on the agenda to be discussed by
the Council of the European Union in the Competitiveness Council
under the Italian Presidency.

For more information on the Green Paper, the consultation and its
preliminary conclusions, visit:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/space

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